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Representation ID: 8230

Received: 26/09/2021

Respondent: Amanda Quince

BEDFORD BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN 2040 – DRAFT PLAN: STRATEGY OPTIONS AND
DRAFT POLICIES
RESPONSE from RENHOLD PARISH COUNCIL September 2021
OVERVIEW
This document represents the considered response of Renhold Parish Council to the strategic
proposals set out by Bedford Borough Council (BBC) in their consultation conducted June to
September 2021.
Our Approach to the Consultation
Renhold Parish Council is experienced in understanding the due process relating to public
consultations and is therefore mindful of the importance of presenting clear and robust evidence
even at this consultation stage, to ensure that Renhold Parish Council makes clear its view as
the first tier of local government. The Parish Council, has a further role as always, serving its
electorate and ensuring they are supported throughout this phase, so considerable work has
been done ensuring they are not only aware of the proposals, their direct impact on Renhold,
but also in encouraging effective engagement in the consultation process.
The Parish Council also feels at this stage of drafting such a significant development strategy
document that it is important to reiterate to BBC, Renhold’s specific items that have previously
been expressed, given the potential personnel changes internally at BBC.
Renhold Parish Council, as usual, has been extremely pro-active in attending BBC led
consultation events directed at local parishes, as well as the various public engagement
activities within the consultation run by BBC. Renhold Parish Council and local representatives
have in addition, been liaising closely with the elected Borough Councillor representatives for
the parish. Renhold has not only thoroughly studied the consultation documents, throughout
the consultation period, they have strived to understand more about the many different technical
and complex items being considered. This has been apparent during this consultation, with
BBC looking at so many different strategic options in addition to a huge number of important
accompanying planning policy documents which will shape the future of Renhold and all local
communities across the Borough.
Councillors wish to thank BBC Planning Policy Officers for their helpful assistance in dealing
with the Parish Council’s various enquiries throughout the consultation.
The Parish Council has also facilitated a number of different ways to encourage Renhold
residents to engage with this consultation process, whether directly to BBC representatives as
well as Renhold Parish Councillors. Throughout this consultation we have made it an absolute
priority that all in Renhold are aware of the enormity of the proposals, and that they can have
their say and their voice heard. This has included using the village electronic circulation list,
website publications to raise awareness, plus multiple communications made via leaflets and
the Village Magazine to every household in the whole parish, along with residents being
welcomed to the July and September Parish Council meetings. The Parish Council arranged a
specific drop-in session on Saturday 20th August at Renhold Village Hall to enable residents who
had questions and/or required assistance with understating how to engage in responding to the
consultation, were able to access support. 38 residents took the time to attend the event, giving
Councillors feedback as well as expressing comments on the consultation literature so it could
be incorporated into the Parish Council response.
The Parish Council – all volunteers and all laymen in this particular field - have become
increasingly conscious of the level of technical detail contained in the many, often large BBC
documents which need to be read and understood before attempting to communicate with our
BEDFORD BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN 2040 – DRAFT PLAN: STRATEGY OPTIONS AND
DRAFT POLICIES
RESPONSE from RENHOLD PARISH COUNCIL September 2021
residents and before collating our response to this consultation. This was compounded further
because of the government Covid restrictions, therefore, Renhold Parish Council who do not
have access to specialist planning professionals have been incredibly grateful for the number of
residents who have given their time to assist with the collation of residents’ views, to enable
them to be reflected within this consultation response.
The above challenges during this consultation have also impacted on any opportunity for any
meaningful engagement with neighbouring areas, who have had an exceptionally busy six
months solid of consultation. This has meant it has been exceptionally difficult not only due to
anxiety as Covid restrictions change, but in addition to this consultation following on
immediately from the East West Rail which took an unprecedented amount of volunteer time in
light of the intention to decimate rural countryside in north of Bedford.
In light of Renhold unexpectedly finding itself in the path of a proposed new railway line, it really
should not be underestimated the true exhaustion in the local community and fatigue from
responding to East West Rail, to then immediately following this, be required to unpick the
various elements within this technical and lengthy documentation.
As a result, for this consultation, it was important to Renhold Parish Council that they focus on
Renhold only. Local communities around the borough area will be better equipped to represent
with their superior local knowledge of the area(s) they serve.
The Parish Council response will focus on these six key areas:
1. Draft Plan: Strategic Options
2. Draft Plan: Draft Policies
3. Renhold Neighbourhood Plan
4. Urban Area Boundary Safeguarding Renhold
5. Renhold Important Local Factors
6. Consultation Accessibility
The consultation submission will reflect the supporting evidence collated from various local
resources, thus enabling Renhold Parish Council to provide information on how truly detrimental
and catastrophic poorly thought-out development strategy options would be and how negatively
they would impact on a small rural village.
BEDFORD BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN 2040 – DRAFT PLAN: STRATEGY OPTIONS AND
DRAFT POLICIES
RESPONSE from RENHOLD PARISH COUNCIL September 2021
residents and before collating our response to this consultation. This was compounded further
because of the government Covid restrictions, therefore, Renhold Parish Council who do not
have access to specialist planning professionals have been incredibly grateful for the number of
residents who have given their time to assist with the collation of residents’ views, to enable
them to be reflected within this consultation response.
The above challenges during this consultation have also impacted on any opportunity for any
meaningful engagement with neighbouring areas, who have had an exceptionally busy six
months solid of consultation. This has meant it has been exceptionally difficult not only due to
anxiety as Covid restrictions change, but in addition to this consultation following on
immediately from the East West Rail which took an unprecedented amount of volunteer time in
light of the intention to decimate rural countryside in north of Bedford.
In light of Renhold unexpectedly finding itself in the path of a proposed new railway line, it really
should not be underestimated the true exhaustion in the local community and fatigue from
responding to East West Rail, to then immediately following this, be required to unpick the
various elements within this technical and lengthy documentation.
As a result, for this consultation, it was important to Renhold Parish Council that they focus on
Renhold only. Local communities around the borough area will be better equipped to represent
with their superior local knowledge of the area(s) they serve.
The Parish Council response will focus on these six key areas:
1. Draft Plan: Strategic Options
2. Draft Plan: Draft Policies
3. Renhold Neighbourhood Plan
4. Urban Area Boundary Safeguarding Renhold
5. Renhold Important Local Factors
6. Consultation Accessibility
The consultation submission will reflect the supporting evidence collated from various local
resources, thus enabling Renhold Parish Council to provide information on how truly detrimental
and catastrophic poorly thought-out development strategy options would be and how negatively
they would impact on a small rural village.